Thursday, July 28, 2005

Remember the Corrie episode where Norris suspects the Kabin is haunted and holds a séance with Rita, Blanche and Betty?

In a case of life imitating art, Corrie bosses organized a séance on set after several employees claimed to have had eerie encounters at Granada studios. Psychics were summoned after staff complained of inexplicable noises, bumps and drops in temperature.

The candlelit session lasted seven hours during the night, and was attended by Sue Cleaver (our Eileen Grimshaw) and Simon Gregson (our Steve McDonald) and other Corrie staff.

This isn’t the first ghost-busting on the set. Psychics were brought in five years ago after people claimed they had seen the ghost of former character Ena Sharples.

And in a case of art imitating life, Corrie's most recent seance was filmed for Living TV show 'Most Haunted' and will be screened later this year.

No news as to whether or not the Ouija board techniques scared away the spirits. Maybe they should call in Charlie Stubbs the builder. Afterall, wasn’t it a cracked wall causing all those ghostly goings-on in the Kabin?

ONE in 10 Brits claims to have snogged up to 150 people during their lives.

And one in 20 reckons they have kissed more than 200.

But a new survey found that most of 3000 Brits quizzed on their snogging habits had locked lips with less than 20 people.

The poll, for dental payment plan company Denplan, found most Brits kiss their partners up to 10 times a day - while a smitten seven per cent claim to kiss their other half more than 25 times a day.

More than three-quarters reckon their partner is a good kisser but 22 per cent said their lover's technique isn't up to scratch.

Bad breath followed by food stuck in the teeth, were named as top turn-offs when it comes to kissing.

Hollywood hunk Brad Pitt was voted the star with the most kissable lips - followed by his current lover Angelina Jolie.

News Source: Daily Record.

Simon Gregson (Corrie's Steve McDonald) has a ritual for his snogging scenes: "Plenty of mouthwash and a good clean of the teeth. Afterwards, too, because I worry about getting a cold-sore." (Especially if it’s with Tracy, I imagine.)

When asked if all the snogging scenes with Steve McDonald and Joe Carter gave Suranne Jones a jawache, she replied, "It's not the snogging that gives Karen jawache. It's all that talking!"

Coronation Street veteran Bill Roache has admitted that he is unimpressed with what the cobbles have to offer nowadays.

“I don’t like so much of what the Street is these days,” the actor told The Sun. “It’s more superficial then it used to be. When it started in 1960 it was a drama serial and a very serious one. It was highly respected. Now it’s quicker, the scenes aren’t as deep and the whole thing is lighter."

Roache, who plays old-timer Ken Barlow, continued: “Its outlook used to be serious with occasional comedy. Now it’s more comedy with occasional tragedy. But whether I personally regret that or not, I realise that if it hadn’t changed it would have become a dinosaur and died.”

Detailing his opinions on the size of the cast, he said: “It’s very demanding work these days. There are no rehearsals, you have to be word perfect and just go in a do it… The size of the cast is too much, I think.

“But because of the amount of hours we do, you need a big cast. We only had about 15 people in my day and the characters had to be well integrated before getting big storylines.”

Roache also voiced his concerns over the number of Cockney characters: “It’s a Lancashire character-based show. You don’t bet Lancashire characters in EastEnders so why have so many Cockneys on the Street?

“We’ve had Mike Baldwin long enough. And now they’re extending his family. What are they going to do, take over the Street?”

Of his life, Roache admitted that he has loved being part of the Street but would have liked to been involved in a few feature films, adding: “I think I’m too old for that now, but you never know… we’ll see.”

‘The Best of Coronation Street 1970-1979’ features 80 key episodes from the 1970s in a 10-disc DVD box set, representing the very best of the episodes from the 1970s. It will be available to buy at £99.99 from Network DVD as of July 25. ‘Tis a pity that it’s in PAL format, i.e. incompatible with many North American DVD players.

Key events in this box set include:The marriages of Ernie Bishop and Emily, Maggie and Ron, Ray and Deirdre, Len Fairclough and Rita, Alf and Renee and Brian Tilsley and Gail.Hilda holding a séance.Stan Ogden being ostracized from the street for a crime he didn't commit.Alf being made mayor.Lynne's murder.Bankruptcy of the Bishops.Deirdre being assaulted under the viaduct.The warehouse being burnt down and two bodies being discovered in the ruins.Mavis almost tricked into marrying Carlos.A lorry full of timber crashing into the Rovers.Bet being found bleeding and unconscious in the street.

They were well ahead of their third-placed Emmerdale counterparts, where Woolpack boozers knocked back 128 units.

Only 98 units were sunk in Hollyoaks while Family Affairs had just 54 units.

Inside Soap editor Steven Murphy said' The hottest action in soapland always takes place in the local pub, with drink fuelling every possible kind of fight or affair.

'We decided to have a bit of fun and see which soap really is the worst offender for drunken revelry.'

Corrie's Blanche Hunt was seen downing six gins while Emily Bishop showed she can still keep up the pace with five sherries.

Cheeky EastEnder Danny Moon downed eight bottles of beer, four neat whiskies and three cans of lager in preparation for a punch-up with Johnny Allen. He was the only soap character to be shown suffering from a hangover.

Troubled Chrissie Watts shared three bottles of wine, a bottle of whisky and a bottle of champagne.

And despite her insistence she would 'rather drink tap water', Pauline Fowler knocked back two cocktails.

Matthew King was Emmerdale's top boozer, downing 22 units over two weeks, followed by Andy Sugden.

Ben Davies slurped eight pints of lager on his way to becoming Hollyoaks' heaviest drinker.

A Coronation Street spokeswoman said: 'As in any soap, the local pub is the epicentre of all drama and this goes to show that the Rovers Return is still the most popular pub in Britain, even if it doesn't serve real alcohol.

Thursday, July 21, 2005

Membership is free and has its privileges including ‘The Illustrated Compendium of British Sausages’, a sausage newsletter ‘The Missing Link’ (or ‘Sizzlin’ for junior members) and an exclusive membership pin badge.

Seriously, just when I thought the show couldn't get any better, someone on the show finally decided to take down some of the GOD AWFUL wallpaper that seems to have taken over the homes on Corrie St.

Thank you Ashley and Claire, God bless you.

CiaranIn a sweeping move of hutzpah, Tracey decides to pose as Penny during Ciaran's meeting with that Frank guy to sell the place. I can't repeat what I was yelling at the t.v. with that stunt. She is truly one evil bitch. really.

Anyway, they have the meeting at the restaurant and guess who walks in? That's right Penny and Mike to come have dinner.

Tracey, though evil, is one clever lady and told Ciaran to take care of Penny and Mike while she dealt with Frank.

But oh no! Mike knows Frank and comes over to the table to talk to him!!

Tracey pretends that she is they're on a romantic dinner with Frank and tells Mike to shove off. She then tells Frank that Ciaran is embarrased about the sale and could he keep it quiet.

Oy!

So they sell the restaurant and Tracey forges Penny's signature. Later Ciaran breaks the news to Penny the bad news and she, of course, loses it.

JasonIn love with that bar girl and takes her home for dinner, where Eileen seems to be pretty happy about this relationship.

What the hell is gamon, btw?

FredEveryone and their brother knocked themselves out to show Fred that they were the most romantic couple on the street. Including a new tatoo for Kirk-eh, that says, 'I Love Fez'.

Ken wrote a really lovely poem for Deidre along the lines of 'A rose by any other name than Deidre is no rose.'

Fred, meanwhile, figured out how much a trip for two to Paris would cost and quickly announced that he meant the Paris Hotel in Bridlington.

In the end, Ashely proposed to Claire in the middle of the Rovers, she accepted and Fred burst into tears and gave them the trip.

Hurrah!

SunitaSo Dev went over to her parents to see if he could mend all the wounds and convince them to come to the wedding. (This kind of put him in my book as 'most marriagble' guy on the street.)

This all went to hell and while mom listen to him, in the end everyone was just as upset. I did think, however, that mom had a point when she said that it wasn't that Sunita didn't marry the guy that they had picked out, it was more that Sunita couldn't come to her to tell her what was wrong.

Anyway, when Sunita found out she was mighty cross with Dev for jepordizing the relationship she had with her brother.

Which character is most in need of an intervention?Shelly – for obvious reasons.Fred – for obvious reasons.Deidre – glasses interventionLiz – fashion intervention - Queer Eye for the Straight BarmaidJamie – bathing intervention

Update – July 19

McDonald’sOh yes! Did you see Tracey’s face when Karen told her that her and Steve were applying for custody? Her rush out of the pub? I LOVED IT.

Tracey dumped Amy literally off at the McDonald’s door and buggered off for 3 days. While Karen has warmed up to Amy and taking on the ‘mom’ role, she was furious that Tracey just dumped her off.

She confronted Tracey in the Rovers and after Tracey did her smuggy dance and ‘Too bad Karen, it’s none of your business’ song – Karen dropped the bombshell that her and Steve would be applying for custody.

It dawned on Tracey that her track record of abandoning Amy would work against her and Steve might get her. So she ran out to get Amy and figured out that Karen was winding her up.

Karen did tell her that they were no longer interested in having Amy and Steve agreed (grudgingly). I suspect this issue will be the thing that breaks Steve and Karen up.

BTW – did I miss something? Where is Liz living? I thought she was living with them, but we haven’t seen her around.

CiaranTracey is working her charm on Ciaran because she wants him to sell the restaurant, lie to Penny and tell her that he sold for less and with the difference, take her on a lovely holiday. (Because no on deserves a holiday more than Tracey).

He wasn’t willing to screw Penny over and accused Tracey of being opportunistic (Not Tracey!) and Tracey immediately claimed that he was being a complete jerk. She told him that she had loved him early that day and now she claimed that the one time she opened her heart – he stomped all over her emotions.

He started looking sheepish and she went from crying to smirking the minute her back was turned to him.

Ciaran wasn’t going to screw over Penny until she caught him closing the restaurant early. She told him to get back to work and called him a waster. (Like Holden Caufield’s ‘crumb bum’, Ciaran just won’t accept anyone calling him a ‘waster). Now he’s pissed and has decided to go along with Tracey’s evil plan.

Jason/CandiceJason tossed over Candice for that new chickie behind the bar, but not before she tossed him over for that soccer playing Baldwin freak.

FredFred got drunk and all soppy about the state of love in the world and made a drunken offer in the Rovers that the first couple that can show him that they have found love will get a free trip to Paris. All couples within earshot get excited. Now let’s see if he keeps the offer open once he sobers up.

SunitaSunita’s brother came to visit with his daughter and Sunita had a long discussion with him. He said that he was going to boycott the wedding along with their parents.This pissed Dev off, but Sunita was okay with it as long as she could have contact with her brother. She told the boys that they needed to get along and went out with her niece so that they could chat.

Dev basically started in on the wedding boycott, telling Sunita’s brother that he needed to pull the parent’s into the 21st century and then told him that Sunita would stand by him if the shoe was on the other foot.

This seem to get at the bro and when Sunita came back he told her that he would be attending the wedding.

Schmeichel's five-year-old cousin Magnum has been covering for the poor canine but it now looks as though the show favourite, named after former Manchester United keeper Peter Schmeichel, could return in the near future.

"We were all really worried about him and miss him loads, " the 12-year-old Sam said.

"We want him back as soon as possible. We've been told his treatment has gone really well which is great news."

A Street insider added to the Daily Star: "We are hoping Schmeichel will be able to make a comeback in September."

Queen’s 'I Want To Break Free' video (1984) is a parody of ‘Coronation Street’ with all the Queen band members dressed in drag as Corrie characters. It was well received in the UK but banned by MTV in the U.S. and led Queen to decide not to tour the States for the rest of their careers. The video also sees Freddie Mercury recreating Debussy's famous ballet ‘L'Apres-midi d'un faune.’ View video in QuickTime.

In 2005, four of our own Corrie lads recreated the ‘I Want To Break Free’ video. The occasion was ‘Queen Mania,’ a celebration of the 30th anniversary of the release of Bohemian Rhapsody, Queen's 1975 mock opera hit, voted Britain's favourite single of all time in 2002.

According to The Daily Mirror, after Michael Le Vell appeared in the video, he began to receive stacks of letters from gay men - who assumed he was a bisexual cross-dresser. It seems our Kevin’s become a bit of a gay icon.

Monday, July 18, 2005

Connection #1: British Prime Minister Tony Blair is a big Coronation Street fan. He describes Corrie as “one of my favourite TV programmes” and a “great British institution.”

Connection #2: Tony Blair visited the set of Coronation Street this year and shared a pint at the Rovers with Fred Elliott and Les Battersby.

(left to right: Vera, Maria, Tony Blair, Tyrone)

Connection #3: Tony Blair threw his weight behind the campaign to "free Deirdre Rachid” after she was imprisoned for fraud.

Connection #4: Tony Blair’s mother-in-law was Pat Phoenix who played the role of Elsie Tanner on Corrie from 1960-1984. Pat Phoenix married Cherie Blair’s father Anthony Booth shortly before she died of lung cancer in 1986.

Friday, July 15, 2005

By now you’ve memorized the lyrics to The Ballad of Les Battersby so it’s time for some fresh tunes. Turn up your speakers and listen to the dopest rap in Weatherfield. It’s the Fred Elliott Rap! Ya wot? Cheeky monkey.

Whatever happened to Toyah Battersby? (The only bright bulb in the Battersby household.) Georgia Taylor left Coronation Street a few years ago and has been enjoying a successful acting career. Now she’s about to hit the big screen in the feature film “The History Boys.”

Another couple of Coronation Street actors who share the same birthday! I can’t confirm Alan Halsall’s birthday for certain but I found two references that said both he and Samia Ghadie “celebrated their joint 21st birthdays” together in 2003.

Alan Halsall: Born July 13, 1982 (?)

Alan Halsall (our Tyrone Dobbs) says he gets stacks of saucy fan mail from female admirers. "Sometimes they give me an address and ask me to pop round. But I just blush and send them a photo.”

Samia Ghadie: Born July 13, 1982

Samia Ghadie (our Maria Sutherland) insists she's nothing like her character Maria: "She's a man-eater, so it's all high-heels, short skirts and plunging necklines. But I'm not a get-it-all-out girl at all."

Tuesday, July 12, 2005

So last night’s episode had Shelly telling Liz that she was out of a job and lodging because Shel has decided to believe Charlie’s version of the events. Personally, I don’t thing Shel really believes it, I think she just doesn’t want to admit that she’s once again hooked up with the wrong man.

(Don’t worry Shel darling, we’ll have our interventions done at the same time).

Anyway, Fred stepped in and offered Liz her job back, but she refused because she realizes that things will never be kosher between her and Shel and also because Charlie gives her the creeps.

Lots of talk of Jim lately, eh. Are we bound to see his Toronto Blue Jays clad self on our screen in the near future?

Liz goes over to Steve and Karen’s to stay for a few days and Karen quickly starts in on her and saying she can’t stay – but Steve jumps in and says that Liz is his mom and is definitely staying.

Speaking of getting a set….Kev actually found his. (sorry for the crudeness). After Sally outright said that Sophie couldn’t have a pet without consulting him, Kev told her that it would have to be a joint decision and that he wouldn’t put up with her making decisions for the both of them.

So instead of a dog, Sophie gets a guinea pig.

Yeah.

Jacqueline throws confetti in the air in honour of the ‘dog substitute’ pet.

I’m also kind of upset that Sally called off their anniversary dinner for a kid’s pizza party. Pay some attention to your husband, woman!

Kev, you have my full blessing to go out and have an affair.

Les wasn’t quite swallowing Cilla’s song and dance about going to Bingo with a friend, so Fizz convinced him to go to the Bingo hall and spy on her. Good plan, except Les was distracted by this woman, who by all appearances may be a direct descent of the guy who played ‘Jack’ on “On The Buses’.

Cilla catches him and it’s discovered that ‘Jackie’ is close friend of Cilla’s and tells her about Les hitting on her. Cilla ends up giving her the ‘Status Quo’ collection that she was going to give Les. (what the hell is a ‘status quo’, btw?)

Maya met up with Frankie for lunch and while they were there, the cab driver who drove Maya and ‘Unknown Star Trek Crew Member’ to their wedding spotted them. He came up and started going on about ‘how’s married life?’, etc.

Maya fluffed it off, but you could tell Frankie was getting worried. I really do think Frankie just has bad judgment when it comes to people. Maybe she could be part of the intervention also.

Monday, July 11, 2005

(I'm making this a new posting just because I didn't want to leave some huge comment...)

Okay, there's this show on A&E called "Intervention", and I, for one, would like to suggest that Shelley needs a referral now! How dim do you have to be to fall for yet another guy who is lying to you? If she hadn't been with Peter, then I could kind of see it. Some of us are far too trusting, and have to be burned repeatedly before we get a little more cynical. But is she so incredibly thick that she can't see a twit when he's lying in her bed? First her mum, now Liz...and her argument is always "you're jealous." See, here's the thing: If you had a million pounds, hair down to your knees, an unlimited free supply of smokes, and owned the pub, then yeah, there'd be some envy there. But considering you're the manager of a local pub with a boyfriend who needs electrolysis to get rid of his five o'clock shadow, I'm thinking not so much.

The part I don't get is why Charlie is bothering with Shelley. Is a woman who runs a pub that desirable, or does he truly care about her? 'Cause I am not seeing it. There's no chemistry between them, and I can't see what she might offer over the other women he could pull. I'm not slaggin her, but she's really high maintenance -- insecure, needy, and whiny a lot of the times. Maybe we're not seeing the tender, intimate, lovely moments?

(As a note, I do like my men scruffy, but Charlie ain't doing it for me either. Strange...)

I just wanted to thank everyone for posting and keeping the discussion lively.

I've been playing catch up with work after my mini-vacay. So I really appreciate everyone who jumped in with the updates.

This week we have people from Norway, but I'm hoping to stay diligent to my updates, if I don't however, just jump in and get it going.

Kev's mustache - never minded it that much, but then maybe I'm biased.

I've been watching the classic corrie lately (back when Sal was sweet) and I'm amazed at the amount of truly boring characters that have come through the street. Maybe that's why I don't remember so many of them - they come and quickly go.

After many blessedly clean-shaven years, Kevin Webster’s moustache makes a brief return to the Street (shudder) but thankfully it disappears without incident. The Reynolds-Selleck porn-stache should be banned from Weatherfield. And the planet. Please Kevin . . . One Geraldo Rivera in this world is more than enough.

Sunday, July 10, 2005

Sally is really starting to bug me.I mean, she's always kind of bothered me...what with her double standards, and her falling for every cock on the walk...now this whole hoity toity school plot line is making her more irritating than ever.

I wonder who Sally was expecting to show up at the door with Rosie?Charlotte Casiraghi?Instead, she got Pippa Popadopoulos, daughter of Kebab Proprietor.I love how the writers made her the mirror image of Sally in ethnic form. It made her different enough for Sally not to recognize herself...but on enough for her to think about that hot shot school and Rosie.Funny that Sally should worry about Rosie feeling the same as Pippa about her own family...hasn't she noticed?Kevin certainly has.Anyhow, I'm looking forward to more Pippa...

I'm loving this Liz and Charlie storyline.He's such an asshole, and I'm loving Liz not "gagging for it" like Charlie will tell everyone she was anyway.The sad thing is that Shelly will have to be thumped and embarrassed about 30 more times before she kicks him to the curb.Meanwhile, Shelly falls for every stupid thing he says hook, line and sinker.I love how Liz handled it though.

I think that she gave Shelly a good wake up call in her conversation with her.

Too bad that Shelly is too stupid, and naive to take her good, and experienced advice.Last but not least...Are there no Employment Standard Laws in Weatherfield? Since when can you fire someone for personal reasons?In my dreams this is a possibility...

Thursday, July 07, 2005

I think I can speak on behalf of everyone here at Corrie Canuck that we are sending all our thoughts and prayers to those directly affected by the god awful attacks in London this morning and indeed to all British peoples.

The world is in such turmoil these days and it really breaks my heart to see yet more violence errupt.

Hopefully, we'll be able to see a time when these kind of terrorist attacks are history.

Champagne corks are popping on Coronation Street after the long running soap won yet another high profile plaudit.

The latest award comes from top telly magazine What's on TV and recognises the zaniest wedding to have entertained the UK's soap viewers.

The winning choice proved to be the disaster-strewn, like-father-like-son love tangle at the 2000 nuptials of Mike Baldwin, played by Johnny Briggs.

Corrie's thrilling scene centred around Mike's illegitimate son Mark Redman, played by Paul Fox, springing the shocking surprise that he had been sleeping with the bride-to-be, Linda Sykes, played so brilliantly by Jacqueline Pirie.

A massive 60 per cent of voters chose this as their favourite disastrous soap wedding ceremony.

Wednesday, July 06, 2005

The Street’s newest family has packed their bags and scampered over to the Platt household. Sarah approached Tommy complaining she had heard funny noises coming from the attic. Fred and Tommy had a mini conference deciding that they would be saying nowt about their own squirrel experiences.

Poor Tyrone, he just seems to be led along in friendship with Maria, though he really does want it to be more. Fiz is trying to help by mentioning to Maria that Kirk and Tyrone are decent blokes and the type Maria should be dating.

Charlie’s interest has been sparked by Liz… could it be from the mammary display the day before? He has made some not so subtle hints at Liz while Shelly has been working out of sight at the back of the pub. Liz looks troubled everytime Charlie looks at her. Charlie had a conversation with Jason something to the effect that Liz must be gagging for it since Jim’s been in prison for the past 21/2 years. Knowing Charlie's past history with barmaids, Liz had better watch it.

I’m not linking to the newspaper article as it contains a spoiler about a storyline but this ‘Corrie Canuck’ reporter will keep you posted on Schmeichel’s condition.

The following is a cut and paste of some of the details in the Daily Mail article:

Coronation Street dog Schmeichel is facing a real-life battle for survival. The Great Dane has undergone a major operation after being diagnosed with Wobblers Syndrome, a genetic condition that affects the spinal cord. His owners and 12-year-old Sam Aston, who plays his on-screen best pal Chesney Brown, now face an anxious wait to see if he recovers.

According to Schmeichel’s vet, "This is a condition that Schmeichel was born with. When he was about five or six months old he had a few problems but we thought they had been cured by vitamin treatment.”

Schmeichel is responding well but will need to undergo physio treatment to help him recover.

Schmeichel's role will be played by a stand-in; his five-year-old cousin Magnum - until a decision is made about his future.

His owner has asked that anyone wishing to send a gift to Schmeichel should instead make a donation to the Animal Health Trust.

Tuesday, July 05, 2005

Hi, I’m filling in for Jacqueline until tomorrow… sorry for the late post, but I just wasn’t able to get to the computer after yesterday’s episode. So here I go…

Now that Charlie is living above the Rovers, Liz has been moved to a smaller bedroom, and she is not happy. Charlie almost lost his eyesight what with the boobages hanging out of Liz’s top first thing in the morning. Fred is getting it from both Liz and Shelly about the rearranging of rooms, but as Shelly is manager – she wins.

Kevin wants to celebrate his and Sally’s 18th wedding anniversary, but of course, Sally digs her heels in and says it is only their 2nd anniversary that she doesn’t want to celebrate something that went so wrong. Rita was even trying to get her to go for the 18th, as it makes them closer to receiving silver on their 25th. Sally really gets on my nerves, she just can’t be happy or satisfied with anything. I didn’t start watching Corrie until after Sally and Kevin were divorced, but in yesterday’s episode there was some mention of an affair. Can anyone fill me in?

Liz appears in the Weatherfield News as ‘Weatherfield’s Glamorous Granny, 41 year old Liz MacDonald….” complete with photo of Liz holding Amy. (41????? yeah right) Of course, Tracy couldn’t wait to wave that in front of Karen’s face.

Forget about the skwerls…. What did you think about the cat fight between Leann and Maria? All that over Jamie? Was it worth it? Probably not, since Jamie really has no intention of dating Maria exclusively, much to her dismay. I’m not sure if she actually likes Jamie, or if she just wants to rub Leann the the wrong way. I really think that Maria is finally getting some back after the no show ‘date’ with Tyrone. When she first joined the show, the Maria character was so sweet and naive, but she certainly has changed.

Soap opera and theatre collide in this play that follows two soap opera mad brothers who hatch a kidnap plot to publicize their failing business. When the abduction of Ken Barlow doesn't go as planned, the boys are not quite sure what to do with their celebrity hostage. Could they demand a ransom from Granada Television? Should they at least remove the bag from over his head?

Sunday, July 03, 2005

The squirrel situation in Weatherfield is not going away anytime soon. May I suggest the residents of Coronation Street take up the extreme sport of Squirrel Tag?(To view long version of video, click on ‘Squirrel Tag TV Clip’)

And finally: a plea from Claire. Please don’t let Fred get his hands on the squirrels!

Friday, July 01, 2005

Tracey offered to give Steve and Karen some of Amy's old clothes including one that said, 'Daddy's Little Girl'. So of course there was the usual egging on by Tracey and Karen reacting. Karen also let Tracey know that she wasn't pregnant which gave Tracey an opportunity to call her 'barren'. Liz kept out of it, but seemed to feel bad for Karen.

Charlie somehow sneaked his way into Shel's place - someone how he convinced her to ask him to move in...it was weird. Anyway, she gets Jason to move Liz's stuff to another room without letting Liz know. There was a big scene with Liz in tears and Shel saying, 'too bad, so sad'. I'm not such a Liz fan, but I thought that was a bit rough.

The squirrels vacated the Elliots' home and ran right into Tommy's place. Fred is playing dumb when Angela complains about the infestation at their house. Claire and Ashly are not happy about lying.

Tyrone found out about Maria and Jamie (oh I'm so glad I'm not the only one...as he was getting his hair cut, I was, 'Okay, this guy isn't attractive.')

Anyway, I'm off to the United States of America on Sunday and won't have Corrie access, so Uta's volunteered to give us updates (you rock, Uta!).

So whereever you are, have fun, eat lots of food, watch fireworks, wave a flag, have some poutine and celebrate this great, big, sexy country! (I'm so happy to be a Canuck this week, I could just plotz!)

In honour of Canada’s 138th birthday, let’s step away from Corrie for a moment (say it ain’t so!) to visit a few Canuck diversions.

World’s Largest Pyrogy – Glendon, Alberta

Big Things: This website is dedicated to those fantastic and awe inspiring monuments built by Canadian communities to draw tourist dollars into their community. I am talking about the world's largest oilcan, the world's largest Easter egg, the world's largest (fill in the blank).

Self-proclaimed ‘map geek’ Melissa Edwards compiles the Caught Mapping series of Canadian maps for Geist magazine. View ‘The National Beer Map of Canada,’ ‘The Doughnut Map of Canada,’ and more. (You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the maps.)

A luvly wee 'ome where Canadian fans of Coronation Street can come ter sit hammer and tack wiv a cuppa and rant and rave about the gahn ons on Corrie Street.
A word to any British fans, we are about 6 months behind on the episodes, so please don't tell us any juicey gossip like Ken Barlow and Vera Duckworth are having an affair.

A luvly wee 'ome where Canadian fans of Coronation Street can come ter sit hammer and tack wiv a cuppa and rant and rave about the gahn ons on Corrie Street.
A word to any British fans, we are about 6 months behind on the episodes, so please don't tell us any juicey gossip like Ken Barlow and Vera Duckworth are having an affair.